My 85 SVO

**Bob Barker** · 05/28/2011, 02:22 PM

So I couldn't find the other thread I have on this car, but I wanted to share some progress I've made. The tuning is after finally getting in the new MegaSquirt ECU built for it. I waited 7 months for this thing! Driveability is a million times better now that I've tossed the old VAM and ecu. Tuning is done through a program called VE live, unique to MegaSquirt. It's an amazing program that adjusts fuel according to air flow to match a preset a/f ratio demanded. I can adjust manually to get it "close" and turn on VE live to let it perfect it. I've still got some boost control problems, and on the second manual boost valve I'm starting to think it's me not the valve! If I can get that figured out I'll be race ready!

So I have it all rattlecann'd and looking hokey! I'm cruisin around doing some tuning and it's making me happy, so I polished the headlights! Didn't help much at all.... maybe a little. I would really like to get new super clean head lights, and a new windshield (which will happen soon since it's free in FL!) and leave the paint lookin shabby. Kinda what I'm liking. I'll also probably lower the front soon and get some shorter springs for the rear. Front is on adjustable coilovers already.

Interior is now where near done, but will be someday. I'll get pics of that when it's worth looking at. Outside will probably stay that way for a while other than the Greg Welds I've got once I get some wheels on them. I think they will look great.

**surf-life** · 05/28/2011, 02:33 PM

looking good! Im glad you decided not to put the "FORD" emblem back on the front, :P

**handeeman** · 05/28/2011, 02:44 PM

Oh yes "Men and their toys". I love projects but since I'm not much of a gear head they cost me a lot more to get done and I'm very slow in completing them cause of the dollar factor. ( note: see my "vice car" in my profile, however I am suppose to have it at the uplostery shop this coming week.) Anyway keep at it and I love the "sleeper look".

**VX KAT** · 05/28/2011, 02:48 PM

Originally Posted by handeeman

Oh yes "Men and their toys". I love projects but since I'm not much of a gear head they cost me a lot more to get done and I'm very slow in completing them cause of the dollar factor. ( note: see my "vice car" in my profile, however I am suppose to have it at the uplostery shop this coming week.) Anyway keep at it and I love the "sleeper look".

HANDEEEEEEEEEE!!!! DUDE!!!!!!!!!!!! Mike!!!!! Good to hear from you again!!!!!!

We've missed your colorful commentary and rather "unique" humor!!!!!!!
Don't be such a stranger!

**VX KAT** · 05/28/2011, 02:52 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Barker

The tuning is after finally getting in the new MegaSquirt ECU built for it. I waited 7 months for this thing! Driveability is a million times better now that I've tossed the old VAM and ecu. Tuning is done through a program called VE live, unique to MegaSquirt.

OK, that's gotta be the worst product name I've heard in a long while....

**Bob Barker** · 05/28/2011, 02:55 PM

:haha:

If you imagine what it does, you would understand the name! It controls fuel/air/spark/timing and all that jazz! But yes I agree it's pretty... insinuating... to say the least!

**Bob Barker** · 05/28/2011, 02:56 PM

Originally Posted by surf-life

looking good! Im glad you decided not to put the "FORD" emblem back on the front, :P

Don't knock the blue oval! In 1985 this little bugger was cutting edge in turbo and fuel injection applications! It made more power than the over 2x larger 5.0 liter mustangs!

**Hotsauce** · 05/28/2011, 07:00 PM

Do I see a proper FMIC through the lower grill?

John C.

**RamAirZ** · 05/28/2011, 07:54 PM

Looking good John! Got any pics of the engine bay now? Megasquirt is an amazing set-up, and the support for it is top notch.

**Bob Barker** · 05/28/2011, 10:54 PM

Yes the FMIC is a real FMIC. Real big unit, nice 3" piping all the way through it. It's really well built too.

Dallas I've got some photos of the engine, but it's like a squirrel went in there and made a nest out of all the wires running every way! I really need to spend some time cleaning all that up, I got a real easy to read wiring diagram that I should use to remove all the non used wires... but I'm lazy about that stuff.

For now the focus is getting the boost to stay where I want it to be. If anyone has any way to test a manual boost controller please share!

**RamAirZ** · 05/28/2011, 11:12 PM

Originally Posted by Bob Barker

Real big unit

Originally Posted by Bob Barker

Dallas I've got some photos of the engine, but it's like a squirrel went in there and made a nest out of all the wires running every way! I really need to spend some time cleaning all that up, I got a real easy to read wiring diagram that I should use to remove all the non used wires... but I'm lazy about that stuff.

For now the focus is getting the boost to stay where I want it to be. If anyone has any way to test a manual boost controller please share!

You can do a boost leak test but your having problems with too much boost right? I feel ya on the wiring, one day your just going to wake up and say f' it, I'm getting this done lol. My '70 SS had a painless harness that had been butchered by the previous owner, I finally walked out one day and tore into it. If I lived closer I'd lend a hand, I'm weird, I love wiring lol.

**samneil2000** · 05/29/2011, 03:23 AM

Looking good. I like that car. Hope you get the boost squared away. How's the power output right now?

**Bob Barker** · 05/29/2011, 04:53 AM

It's hard to say on power output, but if boost were controlled where I wanted it, the injectors could flow enough fuel to creat around 300whp. That would be max on those though. To get beyond 300whp I would need to upgrade a few parts, the factory turbo will start to get in it's own way after around 22psi, the head won't flow and the factory cam won't rev past 5k, at least not make any power past that. I'd really like to get it to the track or on a dyno before upgrading all those parts as most people with these cars tend to quit on them before finding out what they can do, or blasting past all the factory parts for real big horsepower parts!

Dallas, it's overboosting not leaking it. The "real big unit" FMIC and piping are pretty good parts :haha:

There is some way to test the boost valve and wastegate opening with my air compressor, but I haven't firgured it out yet.

**Bob Barker** · 05/29/2011, 04:57 AM

One other thing that's bothering me from outside. The dang gas tank, all ugly and white and plain...

I've asked on other forums what people think about me ditching the gas tank and getting a fuel cell set up in the hatch area, since there isn't anything in there now. What do you guys think? Paint the factory fuel tank black, leave it alone and white, or remove it for a new shiney fuel cell inside the hatch? It's a purely asthetic mod as the factory tank I've already put in a larger pump that will flow enough fuel for a lot more power.

**RickOKC** · 05/29/2011, 10:37 AM

Hey Bob, hit that gas tank with some flat black paint. I always hated seeing the bright, bare metal of my mufflers exposed below the painted rear bumper cover on my Mustang. After I painted them with BBQ grille paint, they "disappeared" because they are under the car and almost always in the shadows. I don't even notice them any more.

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